THINKING AHEAD: Challenges of post Covid-19 world in focus

Elite leaders and experts will brainstorm over the changes caused by the global pandemic and look at innovative ways of tackling the challenges of a post-Covid-19 world at a major summit in Bahrain.

In a regional first, Bahrain will this week stage the 2021 Global Think Tanks Summit, hosted by the Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat), in collaboration with the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Programme at The Lauder Institute, University of Pennsylvania, US.

Two hundred officials and experts from more than 40 global think tanks in various fields will highlight their thoughts during the Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa Hotel sessions which start today and continue until Tuesday.

“The Global Think Tanks Summit enables communication and examining the latest developments in global think tanks’ work, in an all-inclusive exchange of research concepts and visions, making Bahrain a platform for vital post-Covid-19 consultations and intellectual exchanges, the pandemic’s direct and indirect implications, and their impact on ongoing conflicts,” said Derasat chairman Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.

“We anticipate rich discussions in various research areas and their applied aspects in serving public policy and decision-makers, under the guidance of His Majesty King Hamad, and in line with the visions of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to showcase Bahrain’s prominent intellectual position on a global scale – especially after the evident success of the kingdom’s policies and procedures in containing the pandemic, while enabling business continuity and the maximum cushioning against economic repercussions.”

The officials and experts will discuss in five sessions topics covering public policies and strategic challenges, changes caused by the pandemic and their benefits and risks, the power and capabilities of partnerships in a post-Covid-19 world, strengthening women’s position in think tanks and policy advice, as well as building better bridges with policy makers and the general public.

Notably, Derasat Centre achieved progress on the Global Go-To Think Tank Index over the past few years, advancing from 42nd place in 2018 to 23rd in 2020 at the Mena level, and from 11th to 7th place during that period among Arab states.

The Global Think Tanks Summit involves the participation of elite leaders and experts from some of the leading global think tanks.

Hosting such a high-profile event, the organisation says, reflects its focus on raising its profile and global outreach as a forward-thinking intellectual platform against various challenges, representing Bahrain’s positive image and sincere efforts in the areas of development and enhancing human values, the value of exchanging expertise among research centres to build positive co-operative relations between the output of their work and activities, and reality’s requirements and challenges, in a dynamic way far from rigid traditions.

This summit is organised with support from the Bahrain Economic Development Board, the Labour Fund ‘Tamkeen’, Gulf Air Company and Trends Research and Advisory in Abu Dhabi.

Source: https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/1015859/THINKING-AHEAD-Challenges-of-post-Covid-19-world-in-focus